Same number for 3 or 4 line call center

[EWCSS]

I have 1062 and 200.
I am trying to set up Obitalk and my GV number, so that 3 or 4 callers may call the same GV number, and be helped by my staff (In a retail store). If a fifth person calls, it can go to the auto-attendent or voicemail.

Is that possible? How can I configure it?

Thank you

[azrobert]

You can do this by defining the same GV account on both the 1062 and 200, but you will need additional equipment for 4 simultaneous active calls. You can do this without new equipment if you have call waiting enabled and put 2 calls on hold.

The 1062 has 1 handset and the 200 has 1 phone port, so only 1 active call per device. You can connect a smart phone or a computer with an installed softphone to your OBi's via WiFi giving you 2 active calls per device.

If you don't have a smart phone, there are cheap Android phones available. I bought 1 for $10. You don't need a contract for it to work. Here's one for $16:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/virgin-mobile-alcatel-onetouch-elevate-4g-with-8gb-memory-prepaid-cell-phone-black-silver/4209400.p?skuId=4209400

Disclaimer:
I know GV will support 2 active simultaneous calls on an OBi200. I own an OBi200 and have tested 2 inbound calls, 2 outbound and 1 inbound plus 1 outbound. The 3rd inbound call will go to GV voice mail. I also have an OBi1032 with the same GV account and tested 2 calls on the OBi200 and 1 call on the OBi1032. I have not tested 2 calls on each device, but confident it will work.

[SteveInWA]

You can do this by defining the same GV account on both the 1062 and 200, but you will need additional equipment for 4 simultaneous active calls. You can do this without new equipment if you have call waiting enabled and put 2 calls on hold.

The 1062 has 1 handset and the 200 has 1 phone port, so only 1 active call per device. You can connect a smart phone or a computer with an installed softphone to your OBi's via WiFi giving you 2 active calls per device.

If you don't have a smart phone, there are cheap Android phones available. I bought 1 for $10. You don't need a contract for it to work. Here's one for $16:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/virgin-mobile-alcatel-onetouch-elevate-4g-with-8gb-memory-prepaid-cell-phone-black-silver/4209400.p?skuId=4209400

Disclaimer:
I know GV will support 2 active simultaneous calls on an OBi200. I own an OBi200 and have tested 2 inbound calls, 2 outbound and 1 inbound plus 1 outbound. The 3rd inbound call will go to GV voice mail. I also have an OBi1032 with the same GV account and tested 2 calls on the OBi200 and 1 call on the OBi1032. I have not tested 2 calls on each device, but confident it will work.

The only reason that Google Voice (actually Chat) works with two simultaneous calls, is to support basic call waiting.  It is not a business-class solution, and it certainly won't support 3 or more calls at once.   Setting up a "call center" environment using Google Voice is a bad idea.  Just because something is technically possible doesn't make it a wise business decision.

There is no customer support for Google Voice, and whatever small amount of money that may be saved will be quickly flushed down the toilet when something goes wrong and customers can't reach the business.  In today's world of Yelp and Angie's List review sites, all it takes is a few cranky posters to do real damage to a business' reputation.

The far better approach for this use case is a SIP VoIP service provider -- easily add, delete, change, and reconfigure extensions, build IVR processing and other call handling rules, etc.

[LTN1]

The only reason that Google Voice (actually Chat) works with two simultaneous calls, is to support basic call waiting.  It is not a business-class solution, and it certainly won't support 3 or more calls at once.   Setting up a "call center" environment using Google Voice is a bad idea.  Just because something is technically possible doesn't make it a wise business decision.

There is no customer support for Google Voice, and whatever small amount of money that may be saved will be quickly flushed down the toilet when something goes wrong and customers can't reach the business.  In today's world of Yelp and Angie's List review sites, all it takes is a few cranky posters to do real damage to a business' reputation.

The far better approach for this use case is a SIP VoIP service provider -- easily add, delete, change, and reconfigure extensions, build IVR processing and other call handling rules, etc.

The bold and underlined statements above are not only good advice but real world business ramifications on trying to save a dollar that could potentially lose thousands.

[Lavarock7]

I agree that trying to use Google Voice for a business is probably not the best idea.

I recently set up a system for a local limo service. They wanted 2-line rollover and the ability to forward calls to a cellphone if their internet went down.

They have an inbound number at Voip.Ms but many other providers would work.

I configured 2 sub-accounts for him (you would have 4). The inbound number goes to the first sub-account. If that number is busy, the call goes to the second sub-account. His Obi220 has SP1 configured to his first sub-account and Sp2 is configured to SP2. In his case, he has a 2-line phone with SP1 on line 1 and SP2 on line 2.

All outbound sub-accounts have the same phone number for outbound calls.

If the adapters are offline, calls go to the configured cellphone number.

Voicemail is emailed to their email account.

If desired, you can insert a recording with your hours or send calls immediately to voicemail after hours.

You can block inbound telemarketers with NOMOROBO for free.

The 200 and the 1062 can be configured to do this rather than with Google Voice.

If it were me, I'd create the account at Voip.Ms and buy a temporary number, set things up and test it. Then once I was happy with the setup, port in my old number and delete the temporary number. During the test, the old number could be forwarded to the temporary number. With Voip.Ms, a temporary number might cost 40 cents to buy and $1 a month. Porting in is currently free.

While Google Voice is free, the set up I mentioned is perhaps a few dollars a month depending upon calls ($1 a month for the number and perhaps a penny a minute for calls). You can best calculate charges based upon your call volume. Calls are billed inbound or outbound.

Others here can comment on how to set up with Callcentric or other services and what costs might be, but they are probably similar.

These setups are supportable and not at the whim of Google (who says you should not use their service for business anyway).

[LTN1]

For what the OP is asking (4 rollover lines with 5th going to auto-attendant or voicemail), it would be best if he gets a PBX with at least 4 SIP trunks--something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/122135985130?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

The devices like the sample above provides for real professional auto-attendant capabilities with voicemail to e-mail, etc. The OBi devices could be utilized with the PBX to save on outgoing call charges.

Whereas Voip.ms charges for incoming calls, a VoIP provider like Localphone.com doesn't charge for incoming (only outgoing at the rate of .005 cents (1/2 cents per minute) for US calls). Each of their accounts allow for 5 incoming calls concurrently (2 concurrent outgoing). I think for a business that has more incoming calls than outgoing, it is nice to have free incoming calls.

[SteveInWA]

Lavarock, thanks for posting a great, real-world example of the solution I was proposing.  Nice job!

[Lavarock7]

Lavarock, thanks for posting a great, real-world example of the solution I was proposing.  Nice job!

No problem. As LTN1 also posted, there are more alternatives to investigate.

I used to play with NerdVittles installs of a PBX on a BeagleBone and a RaspberryPi but lack time to do much anymore. Yes, it was fun to have my own PBX but Voip.Ms did a lot of what I was wanting.

I too run a couple of businesses and feel spending "some" on phone calls is better than being too cheap.